“Life is about embracing all that comes your way.”
Well I have dragged my heels, procrastinated, and stretched time as far as I can, but it has come to the point of saying goodbye. As much as I am saddened to be writing my farewell, I also must give thanks for all the blessings I received during my lifetime.
I was born to Phyllis and Stan Gibb, a true Columbia Valley ranching couple, who believed family was to be treasured. Brother Jim (1945) and sister Sharon (1947) joined Mom and Dad first. I came along to join them in 1957 (late as usual). All three of us siblings enjoyed a childhood of unconditional love and support, punctuated with the occasional, much needed, kick in the butt for motivation.
Sharon met her soul mate Leslie and Jim found his soul mate Margie then late as usual, I found my soul mate Gary in 1980. We started our journey and have spent the last forty years filling our life with joy, sorrow, happiness, grief, ugliness and beauty. A good life we had, at least in my eyes because we did it together.
We were blessed with two children; Amy and Paul, who have grown into responsible, compassionate and capable adults who in turn found their soul mates to give their unconditional love and support to. Our four grandchildren, Madisen, Major, Oliver and Juliet are every Grandma’s dream come true. I definitely was given a family I was proud to be a part of. To the people who entered my life and actually stayed around, your friendship gave me a sense of belonging that I had never felt before. That was a gift beyond measuring. I do not know how to thank you for enriching my life and giving it meaning. You are all amazing. Paddy, you know what you meant to me. We were supposed to retire together.
I have requested cremation with no service to follow. I was thinking that a more fitting tribute would be to finish that damn brick wall! LOL.
Til we meet again, hugs.
Yvonne